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PAGO PAGO, American Samoa (Samoa News, June 20, 2010) - Gov. Togiola Tulafono believes that StarKist Company "is making a profit" with its operations in American Samoa and has failed to provide details of any cost savings measures implemented such as scaling back salaries of its top executives.

"StarKist is making a profit or they would not be here," he said adding that both sides need to work together in order to keep StarKist in the territory.

Togiola spoke about StarKist on his Saturday radio program after a caller, who identified himself as a StarKist worker, asked the governor for further explanation about the $18 million for American Samoa that is earmarked in pending federal legislation. The caller wondered if any of that money will go to StarKist.

(The $18 million is a provision - sponsored by Congressman Faleomavaega Eni - included in federal legislation already passed by...

By Ifereimi Nadore SUVA, Fiji (Fiji Times, June 8, 2010) - Kava [yaqona] consumption in every school compound is strictly being banned.

The warning was recently issued in a circular distributed to all schools last month.

The Ministry of Education yesterday confirmed that the circular was issued to remind teachers that the ban was still enforced and failure to adhere to the directive could result in disciplinary measures.

The subject of the Prohibition of Drinking Yaqona in government workplaces was earlier addressed in a PSC Circular in 2008.

Teachers are reminded that excessive yaqona drinking has numerous disadvantages.

Excessive yaqona drinking during the week would adversely affect the performance of teachers and their general output at school, the circular stated.

"There is a time and a place for yaqona drinking. Taken in moderation too makes it an enjoyable social avenue for appropriate occasions...

By Simon Eroro PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (PNG Post-Courier, June 3, 2010) - "The interests of this country must be put ahead of any [private] interests and politicians must have the mindset of protecting the interests of their people and the sovereignty of this democratic nation."

Chairman of the Porgera Landowners Association Mark Ekepa said this yesterday after learning that both Member for Pogera Philip Kikala and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sam Abal discredited the landowners in the media recently for throwing their support behind a Bill now before the Canadian Parliament.

The Bill known as C-300 has passed two readings already and is awaiting its final passage after it was introduced by John McKay, a Liberal Member of Parliament in Canada.

The Bill seeks to bring accountability and transparency to incidents of breaches of environmental and corporate social-responsibility standards.

MAJURO, Marshall Islands (Yokwe, June 14, 2010) – Hundreds of Marshall Islanders have migrated to the U.S. in search of better educational opportunities for their youth. This month, Marshallese communities across Amercia are honoring their students who have overcome great odds to graduate from U.S. high schools and colleges.

Back in the Marshall Islands, drop-out rate at eighth grade is about 27 percent, followed with 30 percent of high school students leaving school before graduation.

One Marshallese community in Texas is making every effort to put education first. Results of the State's annual standardized testing show that they are succeeding.

"We are happy that all of our Marshallese children passed," said Hamm Anitok, of the Koba Maron community, mentioning that some Texas-born youth do not pass the test.

In Texas, to graduate with a high school diploma, young people must pass the Texas Assessment of...

By Bernadette Carreon KOROR, Palau (Palau Horizon, May 31, 2010) – Traditional leaders have asked President Johnson Toribiong to put his foot down regarding the controversial UK International Holdings Limited.

In a letter to the president, the members of the council of chiefs expressed "deep and utmost concern about the grave allegations made by certain individuals.

The leaders stated that the president discharge Morris Davidson as Palau’s honorary Consul to Malaysia; stop the false advertisement in the internet that makes it appear that the country is supporting the company; to prohibit Minister Jackson Ngiraingas of Public Infrastructure, Industries and Commerce from using his post to support Davidson and his firm; and direct the Office of the Attorney General to initiate a probe on Ngiraingas’ possible violation of the Code of Ethics.

"The support of your administration to UKIHL is a serious matter as it...

By Haidee V. Eugenio SAIPAN, CNMI (Saipan Tribune, June 14, 2010) – The House Committee on Commerce and Tourism's sparsely attended public hearing on Friday night received testimonies in support of allowing casino operations on Saipan to help save the local economy after the demise of the garment industry and a drop in tourist arrivals.

None of the 12 members of the public and government agency representatives present at the public hearing voiced opposition to the legalization of casinos on the island.

The public hearing on House Bills 17-55 and 56, introduced by House Speaker Froilan C. Tenorio, was held at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe on Friday night.

Committee chairman Rep. Edmund Villagomez (Cov-Saipan), along with four other lawmakers and six legislative staffers, wrapped up the hearing at 7:37pm, with only four members of the crowd testifying.

By Rosalyn Evara PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (PNG Post-Courier, June 1, 2010) - The near-unanimous decision by Parliament outlawing third party lawsuits against resource projects in the country has caused an uproar among the people in Madang.

Some have already vehemently stated they would not take this decision lying down.

According to reports, the amendments to the Environmental Bill, which was passed 73-10, meant that the restraining order preventing the Ramu nickel cobalt mine project in Madang from operating would be lifted and operations would resume.

Reports are that Environ-mental Minister Benny Allen had among other things told Parliament last Friday that the amendments would supplement and give full effect to enable holders of environmental permits to comply with the standards and requirements stated in their permits. Further it would also mitigate against risks associated with third party litigation or...

By Gemma Q. Casas SAIPAN, CNMI (Marianas Variety, June 23, 2010) - The Retirement Fund’s board of trustees is strongly opposing a pending bill in the Senate that proposes to allow early retirement among public employees without penalties, saying this will increase and not reduce the cash-strapped CNMI government’s liabilities.

Board Chairman Sixto Igisomar and the six other trustees told Sen. Luis P. Crisostimo, Ind.-Saipan and chair of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Government and Law, there is also a law prohibiting the passage of any increased member benefits unless ratified in a referendum.

"Additionally, the Commonwealth Election Commission is required to public information relating to the referendum that discloses to voters a summary of full actuarial valuation of the cost to taxpayers of the proposed increase in benefits and the actuary’s opinion of the dedicated funding source," the board wrote to Crisostimo...

By Fred Fono HONIARA, Solomon Islands (Solomon Star, June 23, 2010) - Tangible development for rural people depends on how their respective Members of Parliament utilize their constituency funding.

Caretaker deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Rural development Fred Fono said various reports on the total funding figure were inaccurate.

"As caretaker minister responsible for the Ministry of Rural Development, I want to relay the factual figures received by members of parliament throughout the term," he said yesterday. "The public deserves to know the figure so that they can ask their own MPs on how they use their money if they think there are no tangible developments in their constituencies."

He said the extent of any development for rural people from the funds depend on how each MP used the money.

For this year, SB$400,000 [US$48,200] was released under RCDF (Rural Community...

Pacific Islands Report is a nonprofit news publication of the Pacific Islands Development Program at the East-West Center in Honolulu, Hawai‘i. Offered as a free service to readers, PIR provides an edited digest of news, commentary and analysis from across the Pacific Islands region, Monday - Friday.